Newb question, Ranchu Standards

[Fishman43]

I did a search for this and found many threads where peoples fish were judged by those in the know. I am looking for an actual standard or idea of what TVR and SVR are supposed to look like.

I have been a member of the IBC (International Betta Congress) for a few years and the standards are pretty well outlined and updated as new forms are bred. From what I can see from the posts there isn't as much for Ranchu, but as a new keeper of TVR I sure would like to know what I am looking for in continuation of a line.

[bigbettadan]

Well, I was one of the main cogs in the IBC rewrites and halfmoon development, but the ranchu standard is part art as well as science. It is passed on from master to student in Japan. But the AGA standards and PDFs are a good place to start. Go to americangoldfish.org for that. There are links and lots of info on this ARS page. Read there. If you want a private info, I will be more happy to help, PM me...

Dan

[suphi]

For TVR just keep looking at various winners from Japan's shows. It'll give you a rough idea of what's considered top quality fish.

It's tougher for SVR since there are so many variations--lion head, lionchu, etc. And what's considered good in one region may not be so in other places.

[johnatoranchu]

I did a search for this and found many threads where peoples fish were judged by those in the know. I am looking for an actual standard or idea of what TVR and SVR are supposed to look like.

I have been a member of the IBC (International Betta Congress) for a few years and the standards are pretty well outlined and updated as new forms are bred. From what I can see from the posts there isn't as much for Ranchu, but as a new keeper of TVR I sure would like to know what I am looking for in continuation of a line.

There is no "one" standard for Japanese Ranchu (TVR that is) as one of the most important elements is "balance". This confuses many hobbyists, both beginners and not-so-beginners. Just look for the basics first. Strong body, thick peduncle, full bracelet, division in the tail, strong tail shoulders but with softer extremeties to the tail to give a graceful swim, curved dorsal contour with minimum of bumps and hollows, twin anal fins, head development to give "a good face", strong colour (red to be red, white to be white). Fish to give the impression of both strength and gracefulness and to have a straight and even swim line. You will not find a genuine written Japanese standard/drawing (only diagrams), mainly because there are too many acceptable variables not the least of which is that bodies can be short, medium or long. This affects everything else in order to achieve "balance". Heads can be rounded or have significant funtan (jowls at the side of the face) but most importantly there must be development in all three areas - cranial (tokin), infra-orbital and opercula - and development must be seperated to achieve a "face". An all-over-blob-of-jelly, so characteristic of Chinese Lionheads of yesteryear, is a no-no.
If you are really interested in TVR do as Suphi suggests and study photos of winning fish on the internet. It won't teach you "swim line" but it should help to understand "balance".
John

[TheTruth]

I did a search for this and found many threads where peoples fish were judged by those in the know. I am looking for an actual standard or idea of what TVR and SVR are supposed to look like.

I have been a member of the IBC (International Betta Congress) for a few years and the standards are pretty well outlined and updated as new forms are bred. From what I can see from the posts there isn't as much for Ranchu, but as a new keeper of TVR I sure would like to know what I am looking for in continuation of a line.

check out the american goldfish association standards i think they are right on the money

[Fishman43]

... division in the tail...

When does this develope, and is a joined tail a dominant trait?

[johnatoranchu]

When does this develope, and is a joined tail a dominant trait?

Yes, a joined tail is a dominant and regressive trait. Only breed from such a fish when there is no alternative. It's Mother Nature trying to reverse human interference and re-establish fish-shaped single tailed fish. Eliminate joined tail specimens as soon as you can but don't be in too much of a hurry to cull as both "halves" of the very best tails are held closely together. I usually wait until fry have half inch bodies excluding tail before culling but then my eyes are not too good.
John